2 National Guard members shot near White House in ambush attack
Victims remain in critical condition, suspect reportedly an Afghan national who entered the U.S. in September 2021
Author of the article:Ian Shantz
Published Nov 26, 2025 • Last updated 13 hours ago • 3 minute read
National Guard patrol on the National Mall.
National Guard patrol on the National Mall near the U.S. Capitol, Wednesday, Nov. 26, 2025, in Washington.
A suspect in custody after two National Guard members were shot Wednesday in Washington, D.C., is reportedly an Afghan national who entered the U.S. in 2021.
Two West Virginia National Guard soldiers were shot near the White House, The Associated Press reported.
FBI Director Kash Patel and Washington Mayor Muriel Bowser said the guard members were in critical condition.
The mayor described the attack as targeted.
Two law enforcement officials and a person familiar with the matter said the suspect was believed to be an Afghan national who entered the U.S. in September 2021 and has been living in Washington state.
Law enforcement trying to confirm suspect’s background
The suspect has been identified by law enforcement officials as Rahmanullah Lakanwal, The Associated Press reported; however, authorities were still working to fully confirm his background, they said. The people could not discuss details of an ongoing investigation and spoke to AP on condition of anonymity.
Jeffrey Carroll, an executive assistant D.C. police chief, said investigators had no information on a motive. He said the assailant “came around the corner” and immediately started firing at the troops, citing video reviewed by investigators.
“This was a targeted shooting,” Bowser said, per AP.
West Virginia Gov. Patrick Morrisey initially said the troops had died, but later walked back the statement to say his office was “receiving conflicting reports” about their condition.
“We are in ongoing contact with federal officials as the investigation continues,” Gov. Patrick Morrisey said.
Emergency personnel keep a presence following the shooting of two National Guard soldiers near the White House.
Emergency personnel keep a presence following the shooting of two National Guard soldiers near the White House, Wednesday, Nov. 26, 2025, in Washington.
Trump orders 500 additional National Guard members to Washington
The suspect was also shot and had wounds that were not believed to be life-threatening, according to a law enforcement officer who spoke to AP on condition of anonymity.
At least one of the soldiers exchanged gunfire with the shooter, another law enforcement official said.
The White House quickly ordered 500 more National Guard members to Washington following the shooting. Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth said President Donald Trump asked him to send the extra troops.
Nearly 2,200 troops are currently assigned to the joint task force operating in the city, according to the government’s latest update.
Task force dispatched to White House area
The Joint DC Task Force confirmed they were responding to an incident in the area of the White House.
The shooting happened about two blocks northwest of the White House.
After hearing the gunfire, other troops in the area ran over and held down the shooter after he was shot, Carroll said.
“It appears to be a lone gunman that raised a firearm and ambushed these members of the National Guard,” Carroll said, adding that it was not clear whether one of the guard members or a law enforcement officer shot the suspect.
President was in Florida at time of shooting
Trump was at his West Palm Beach, Fla., golf course when the shooting happened.
He warned in a statement on social media that the “animal” who shot the guard members “will pay a very steep price.”
“God bless our Great National Guard, and all of our Military and Law Enforcement. These are truly Great People,” Trump wrote on Truth Social. “I, as President of the United States, and everyone associated with the Office of the Presidency, am with you!”
White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt added that the White House is “aware and actively monitoring this tragic situation.”
CNN reported that National Guard troops from various states have been in Washington, D.C., for months as part of Trump’s anti-crime crackdown in the U.S. capital, which has since expanded elsewhere across the country. In August, Trump issued an emergency order in the capital, federalizing the local police force and sending in the guard from eight states and the District of Columbia.
— With files from The Associated Press
apnews.com
torontosun.com
Victims remain in critical condition, suspect reportedly an Afghan national who entered the U.S. in September 2021
Author of the article:Ian Shantz
Published Nov 26, 2025 • Last updated 13 hours ago • 3 minute read
National Guard patrol on the National Mall.
National Guard patrol on the National Mall near the U.S. Capitol, Wednesday, Nov. 26, 2025, in Washington.
A suspect in custody after two National Guard members were shot Wednesday in Washington, D.C., is reportedly an Afghan national who entered the U.S. in 2021.
Two West Virginia National Guard soldiers were shot near the White House, The Associated Press reported.
FBI Director Kash Patel and Washington Mayor Muriel Bowser said the guard members were in critical condition.
The mayor described the attack as targeted.
Two law enforcement officials and a person familiar with the matter said the suspect was believed to be an Afghan national who entered the U.S. in September 2021 and has been living in Washington state.
Law enforcement trying to confirm suspect’s background
The suspect has been identified by law enforcement officials as Rahmanullah Lakanwal, The Associated Press reported; however, authorities were still working to fully confirm his background, they said. The people could not discuss details of an ongoing investigation and spoke to AP on condition of anonymity.
Jeffrey Carroll, an executive assistant D.C. police chief, said investigators had no information on a motive. He said the assailant “came around the corner” and immediately started firing at the troops, citing video reviewed by investigators.
“This was a targeted shooting,” Bowser said, per AP.
West Virginia Gov. Patrick Morrisey initially said the troops had died, but later walked back the statement to say his office was “receiving conflicting reports” about their condition.
“We are in ongoing contact with federal officials as the investigation continues,” Gov. Patrick Morrisey said.
Emergency personnel keep a presence following the shooting of two National Guard soldiers near the White House.
Emergency personnel keep a presence following the shooting of two National Guard soldiers near the White House, Wednesday, Nov. 26, 2025, in Washington.
Trump orders 500 additional National Guard members to Washington
The suspect was also shot and had wounds that were not believed to be life-threatening, according to a law enforcement officer who spoke to AP on condition of anonymity.
At least one of the soldiers exchanged gunfire with the shooter, another law enforcement official said.
The White House quickly ordered 500 more National Guard members to Washington following the shooting. Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth said President Donald Trump asked him to send the extra troops.
Nearly 2,200 troops are currently assigned to the joint task force operating in the city, according to the government’s latest update.
Task force dispatched to White House area
The Joint DC Task Force confirmed they were responding to an incident in the area of the White House.
The shooting happened about two blocks northwest of the White House.
After hearing the gunfire, other troops in the area ran over and held down the shooter after he was shot, Carroll said.
“It appears to be a lone gunman that raised a firearm and ambushed these members of the National Guard,” Carroll said, adding that it was not clear whether one of the guard members or a law enforcement officer shot the suspect.
President was in Florida at time of shooting
Trump was at his West Palm Beach, Fla., golf course when the shooting happened.
He warned in a statement on social media that the “animal” who shot the guard members “will pay a very steep price.”
“God bless our Great National Guard, and all of our Military and Law Enforcement. These are truly Great People,” Trump wrote on Truth Social. “I, as President of the United States, and everyone associated with the Office of the Presidency, am with you!”
White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt added that the White House is “aware and actively monitoring this tragic situation.”
CNN reported that National Guard troops from various states have been in Washington, D.C., for months as part of Trump’s anti-crime crackdown in the U.S. capital, which has since expanded elsewhere across the country. In August, Trump issued an emergency order in the capital, federalizing the local police force and sending in the guard from eight states and the District of Columbia.
— With files from The Associated Press
2 National Guard members shot in an ambush attack just blocks from the White House
Two West Virginia National Guard members who deployed to the U.S. capital have been shot blocks from the White House in a brazen act of violence that the mayor characterized as a targeted attack.
apnews.com
2 National Guard members shot near White House in ambush attack
Police say a suspect is in custody after National Guard members were shot in Washington, D.C., on Wednesday. Read more.
